Supplement material for self-taught or is this possible?

[lowhm]

Hi,

I am interested in learning the piano.

I won't say that it will be 100% self taught, but the lesson I attend aren't meant for me!!   

I'm bringing my daughter to piano lesson using Suzuki Method, thus, I required to accompany her during lesson, which is of course great for me, as I wanted to learn the piano too!!!

Not sure if this is feasible, that after her lesson, I would like to get hold of some material to do my own practice.
If this is feasible, can anyone recommend some material / syllabus / course book for this?

I do play classical guitar and has the basic knowledge on music theory. And, for the same reason that I'm playing a guitar, most of the piece I played are Baroque and Latin American music, which means if possible, I would like to start with some Bach.

I will be most grateful if anyone can give any advice !!!!

Thanks.



Han Ming

[leahcim]

Not sure if this is feasible, that after her lesson, I would like to get hold of some material to do my own practice.
If this is feasible, can anyone recommend some material / syllabus / course book for this?

Your daughter's lessons should progress at her pace and cover her playing.

In that sense, unless you share her progress and have the same issues etc they might be limited in their usefulness for you.

IMO your daughter is doing the right thing to learn piano - why not follow her example and have piano lessons?

[A lot of parents want to play but get their kids lessons. Sort of like a Dad buying his son a train set that's really for Dad to play with. Because you seem interested in playing the piano and piano lessons it does beg that question. If your desire to play is the reason behind your daughter having lessons my advice would be that you have the lessons instead]

As for starting with some Bach, I assume you've got a piano, so get some of Bach's sheet music [perhaps Minuet in G - apparently not written by him, and Invention #1] that, and the other material you need [aside from a teacher] is on this site, just start reading through, all the stuff on practise etc that's in here.

[loops]

I went to Oxfam's to get children's tutor books in an effort to improve my rubbish sightreading.
The one I really really liked, as an adult, was Chester's Easiest Piano course. I got  Book 3 as
that was what was there. The pieces are for the most part attractive (as in, not made up for some technical point but are actual music), excellent tips and "mini-warmups". The illustrations are
wonderful, I laughed out loud at the joke with the cat and the chocolates and somewhere else
a sheep and a bag pipe.

You could do alot worse, judging by what I found of my husband's books, from when HE was a
child, in the piano stool we inherited.

[lowhm]

Hi,

Thanks for the advice.

I have been reading the replies here!!!

I just bought the Piano Handbook and the Virtuoso Pianist in 60 Exercises for a start, still on its way though.

Thanks for the reference to the Chester's Easiest Piano course!!! It will definitely be on my read list.

In the mean time, I am reading the Fundamental of Piano Practice by Chang
I find that it have quite a few pointers which illustrate the mistake I have made when I am practising on my classical guitar.

In any case, my piano won't arrive until 2 weeks later.

Hopefully, this time round, I can lay a better foundation and go through less mistake.

I would be most glad if I can have more advice from the guys here!!!!

Cheers.


Han Ming

[maestoso]

make sure you keep practicing your guitar. piano will make your right hand strong but your left, which should be strong has to adapt to a new way of holding it. i play classical guitar too so you would think it would be a more easy transition but it's a little difficult to get used to your right hand getting dominant, but after awhile it will quickly become strong. make sure you practice hands single and it should come together nicely it is a great instrument. good luck.

[m1469]

Hi, Han Ming, pm me if you would like.  I will help you.


m1469 

[lowhm]

Hi everybody!!!!

Thanks so much for your replies.

I have just got the Virtuoso Pianist book and have a glance at it. The ideas look very similar to a book called Pumping Nylon that is meant for classical guitar.
Probably because I have a 'guitar' pre-perception, the first exercise is a double note scale run which looks difficult to me  ..... 

Anyway, I am really glad to start of with a good exercise book, as this is something I really missed throughout the years of learning/playing the guitar.
Though I am teaching guitar a little now, I think I belong to the group of teacher "who can't teach" as mentioned in Chang's book  :p

I am really glad that at least my quest to play the piano has at least make me aware of many things and mistakes I have been doing all these years.


hi maestoso,
Really glad to hear from someone who has gone through it all.
You do mentioned something I'm having some doubt on,  i.e.  the hands are not developed equally.
And practising hands separated should be a great help..... 
In fact, I am guilty to say that I have seldom do this all these years, untill the read the Chang book, now I try to run through the chords with my left hand on the fingerboard before I play hands together. It has not only benefitted myself, but also especially on students who don't practise that much and have trouble remembering....

Eagerly waiting for more advices !!!!   



Han Ming